Archive for May, 2010

Earlier this month I showed you how to use Facebook to get free stuff. I tried it out myself- in the name of research (and to get free stuff!). Yesterday, my Kraft sampler package arrived in the mail.

All I had to do was *like* Kraft foods on their Facebook page. In return, they sent me this sampler pack worth about $8.00. There are 2 coupons for free products (Oscar Mayer lunchmeat and a Mac & Cheese Explosion) and 4 individual size Sundried-tomato Wheat Thins.

Speaking of FB freebies… if you *like* KPRC’s page right now, you could win a free iPad.

A Houston woman received this curious letter recently. Curious because she says she’s never done business with “United Online” or Juno. A quick search online turns up a ton of other consumers who also received similiar letters, with no explanation. Each letter is an attempt to collect a relatively small amount of money, usually less than $20. Does the company just hope consumers will think it’s such a small amount, they’ll just send it in?

Of course, a call to the toll-free number only gets you a recorded message with instructions on how you can pay.

I have an email into the company, since this seems to be the only real way to make contact with a human at United Online.

If you receive one of these letters, but do not believe you owe the money, here’s what you should do:

1) Send a letter back to the company (they do include a self-addressed postage-paid envelope) requesting proof that you owe the debt within 30 days. The proof should explain when you agreed to pay the amount and what you bought.

2) In that letter, cc: the California Attorney General and the Houston BBB (The Houston BBB will get it to the appropriate bureau.).

I will follow up and let you know if United Online ever gets back with me.

If you’re bored (and maybe a little irritated at the company), you can always stuff the self-addressed, postage-paid envelope with other junk mail you don’t want… and send it to United Online Collections Division.

And I can tell you from experience, gym memberships ARE cheaper in June. Here’s the explanation from the folks at “Go Frugal:”

“New Years’ resolutions have gone out the window by June and gym rats are more interested in outdoor activity than exercising indoors. Membership representatives will leap at the chance to sign up new members, even if it means waiving initiation fees and giving away a free month.
Best time to buy a gym membership: June”

Out of 35 grocery shopping trips since Dec. 13, 2009, I have been overcharged 12 times. I was undercharged 4 times. On 19 trips, I paid the exact price advertised on the store shelf.

If you’re just reading about “Operation Price Check” for the first time… check out the post from December 13th when I started the project. I’m doing this thing for a whole year. At the end, I’ll tell you how much I was overcharged and how much I got back for invoking Kroger’s policy of getting one item free for which I was overcharged. In December, I will donate all of that money to the Houston Food Bank.

Try out “Operation Price Check” at your house… and see how much you save at the grocery store.